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theguardian.com
Green shoots? Burnham cultivates rural links in attempt to ‘build back trust’ with farmers
Ministers have been speaking to farming activists to try to build bridges after relations were soured by the tax changes introduced under Keir Stamer As an arable farmer, Olly Harrison’s WhatsApp messages are normally concerned with the more mundane matters of working the land: logistics, supplies and the occasional chat about the weather.So when a recent message came through from Andy Burnham, it was more than a little unexpected. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
UN adds 61 firms to settlements blacklist over alleged human rights violations against Palestinians
Israel ‘categorically rejects’ publication and says businesses on database have committed no wrongdoingThe UN human rights office has added 61 more companies to a blacklist of firms that it says are involved in violating Palestinian human rights through business ties to Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.The vast majority of the total 214 companies, which are based in 11 countries, are Israeli. Five of the 158 companies listed last year were removed in the latest update. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Work intensifying on UK laws to stamp out concert ticket touts, say sources
Artists including Tinie Tempah and the Smiths’ drummer Mike Joyce ramp up pressure on government to keep its pledge to outlaw for-profit resalesThe government has stepped up work on new laws to stop ticket touts fleecing fans, as the prime minister came under pressure from artists including the drummer from the Smiths, one of his favourite bands.Keir Starmer said last year that the government would “stop fans from being ripped off” by outlawing the for-profit resale of tickets on sites such as Viagogo and StubHub, a pledge Labour first made in its 2024 election manifesto. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘It’s just getting worse’: anger in Maine over Trump’s trade war with close neighbor Canada
President’s tariffs have hurt fishers, loggers and others in a state with deep bonds to Canada – will voters show their displeasure in the midterms?It was an ideal summer to cut trees.The weather in Maine’s Penobscot county – one of the most heavily forested counties in a state dense with trees – was warm and dry. Yet even as the county’s wood had grown to an ideal size to harvest, the machines Molly London typically uses sat idle. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
London transfer: is it time to kill off the Heathrow Express?
With fares high and passenger numbers low, plans for a third runway could bring the train’s future into questionIf Heathrow finally builds its third runway, Londoners can expect hundreds more planes flying overhead each day. But greater congestion on the ground will be a problem too. Under Heathrow’s £33bn expansion plan, 100,000-200,000 more passengers would eventually be travelling to or from the airport each day.The most eye-catching problem has been moving part of the UK’s busiest motorway, the M25, to make space for a new 2.2-mile (3.5km) runway. A thornier one may be getting motorists out of their cars, and finding more sustainable ways for the extra passengers – and thousands of staff – to travel to and from Heathrow. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Could an iced coffee freeze you out of the job market?
Employees and recruiters weigh into the online debate around interview etiquette.
theguardian.com
The truth behind Donald Trump’s ‘biggest oil deal in world history’
The US’s oil deal with Venezuela faces multiple legal and logistical problems, including questions about whether it can be implemented Donald Trump has long coveted the oilfields of other nations and declared an agreement with Venezuela to be “the biggest oil deal in world history”. But the deal, reached after the US seized Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, is almost certainly doomed to collapse amid a wide array of legal and logistical issues, a Guardian investigation has found.The US president first mused about taking oil from Iran in 1987, when he told ABC’s Barbara Walters that Iranian attacks on American shipping during the Iran-Iraq war required an extreme response. “Why couldn’t we go in and take over some of their oil, which is along the sea?” he asked. Over the ensuing years, he has returned frequently to the idea that America should seize oil from other countries after military conflict, from Libya to Iraq. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Trump reportedly rejects Iran’s seven-day peace deal to reopen strait of Hormuz
Tehran awaits official response to plan, but US president is said to expect renewed strikes after midtermsIran is awaiting an official US response to its proposal to reopen the strait of Hormuz and end fighting in the Middle East war as Donald Trump was reported to have rejected the deal.Iran raised the diplomatic initiative at the UN general assembly in New York, saying it had been transmitted to the Americans via Qatari mediators and could reopen the strategic waterway and put an end to hostilities in the region within seven days. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Three-quarters of UK’s popular plug-in hybrid cars unable to use rapid chargers
Only 26% of PHEVs sold across top 20 models can use chargers with power of 50kW or more, analysis findsThree-quarters of the 20 top-selling plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) in the UK cannot use rapid chargers, research has found, amid concerns that many are essentially “petrol cars pulling round a heavy battery”.The cars, which can run on electric batteries as well as combustion engines, have been promoted by carmakers as a way to cover long distances in a single drive – unlike fully electric cars – while still reducing emissions. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Amazon’s Ring wants to replace local WhatsApp groups. It’s a recipe for curtain-twitching disaster | Imogen West-Knights
Do we really want a slick digital message board overseen by Amazon? It’s the neighbourhood nonsense we treasureRing, the Amazon subsidiary of camera-enabled doorbells fame, wants to be an even bigger part of your neighbourhood. Next month in the UK, it will be launching Neighbours, a community app that seeks to replace the now traditional neighbourhood Facebook or WhatsApp group. It will be available inside the Ring app, free to everybody, including people without Ring products, and will include a community requests feature wherein the police can ask for footage from residents living near reported crimes, who can then choose whether or not to share it.My first thought was that this is curtain-twitching culture gone mad. If you must have a Ring doorbell (and my instinctive feeling as someone without one, a feeling I will no doubt have until I get one and decide it’s great, is that it’s narc-coded behaviour) then: OK. But does Amazon need to be in charge of a digital village messageboard too?Imogen West-Knights is a writer and journalist Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Scottish drivers hit as diesel passes £2 a litre across the country
Motoring organisation the RAC says it expects the average UK diesel price to hit a new record high over the weekend.
theguardian.com
Purple reins: Philippine export ban casts shadow over UK’s love of ube
As Britain goes mad for yam, shortage of planting material and concerns over control of crop prompts sales haltIn a corner of north London on a weekday morning, Filipino cuisine is thriving: diners at Mama & Sons in Kentish Town are making their choices, and one of the most popular items on the menu is the ube ice-cream sandwich. It’s easy to see the appeal of the light, fluffy bun encasing a purple scoop of ice-cream.The owner of the cafe, Omar Shah, says ube – a vibrantly purple root vegetable long-beloved in the Philippines – has exploded in popularity in the UK. Just when he thinks it has reached its peak, it becomes “even more popular”. And this year, he says, has been no exception. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Manchester City verdict: what happens next, will club appeal and could they be relegated?
We analyse what City must do to appeal, why even that might not be the end of the legal wrangling, and the penalties that could await if the verdict is upheldManchester City have been found guilty of the vast majority of the 134 disciplinary charges brought against them by the Premier League. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘I felt shame’: former BA worker locked in legal battle after losing job of 30 years
Cabin crew worker was among thousands of staff laid off during pandemic in what MPs called a ‘national disgrace’During a 30-year career as a member of British Airways’ cabin crew, Tess De Mello took pride in a job well done, saying she regularly went above and beyond to make passengers more comfortable. To her, the role was more than just employment – it was part of her identity.“I took pride,” she said. “I really took pride in myself, I took pride in my role, I took pride in everything because it was everything I wanted to be.” Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Fuel costs putting off meal delivery driver applicants
Maureen Bougeard says some prospective volunteers do not respond after learning about expenses.
theguardian.com
Vast Casino Secrets leak exposes inner workings of offshore gambling firms
Files could have seismic consequences for online casinos, including those accused of illegally targeting consumersThe secrets of thousands of online casinos have been laid bare in a vast leak of data that could have seismic consequences for offshore gambling firms, including some accused of illegally targeting consumers around the world.The Casino Secrets leak reveals tens of thousands of previously confidential files stored by the gambling regulator on the Caribbean island of Curaçao. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Schoolchildren without smartphones penalised with higher bus fares
Despite guidance keeping mobile phones out of England’s schools, cheaper travel may only be available via an appSchoolchildren who do not own smartphones face paying hundreds of pounds extra in annual bus fares as cheaper travel passes are digitised.Critics argue that by only making discounts available through an app, operators are undermining government guidance to keep mobile phones out of schools. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Why Xi believes the U.S. and China can overcome the 'Thucydides Trap'
In May, Chinese President Xi Jinping asked U.S. President Donald Trump whether the countries could avoid destructive rivalry. Now, it seems, he thinks they can
cnbc.com
Chinese AI models surge in global popularity — and Washington is worried
Usage of Chinese AI models by businesses across the globe has increased substantially in 2026.
theguardian.com
TikTok to pay Alabama $100m and limit teenage use in first state settlement
Trial had been set for Monday over claims by Alabama that TikTok misled parents about tools meant to shield children from harmful contentTikTok has agreed to pay Alabama at least $100m and enact time limits and other restrictions for teenage users, avoiding a trial with a settlement that was modelled on Instagram-owner Meta’s recent agreement with US states.Alabama described it as a “first-in-the-nation settlement” with a state in the sweeping litigation over social media’s affect on teen wellbeing. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
OpenAI bots meddled with multiple US government agency sites
OpenAI said its bots accessed public data from a range of institutions during test exercises.
theguardian.com
OpenAI says agents leaked 53 images from ChatGPT users in latest example of rogue activity
Disclosure reveals new area of privacy risk for the company and illustrates how difficult it is to inventory unauthorized activity tied to its agentsTwo months after OpenAI disclosed the accidental hacking of Hugging Face, the ChatGPT maker is still working to understand the full scope of its rogue agent activity, two people briefed on the matter told Reuters.The latest example came on Friday when OpenAI said its agents had leaked 53 images from ChatGPT users. OpenAI declined to say if the images were AI-generated or identified real people. It also declined to say when the images were posted. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
White House claims pro-Trump ad it paid Fox to air was ‘public service announcement’
Some Democrats say taxpayer-funded ad could be illegal government propaganda aimed at influencing votersThe White House on Friday defended its decision to use taxpayer funds to buy airtime on Fox News for a White House-produced, pro-Trump ad that some Democrats said could be illegal government propaganda aimed at influencing voters in the upcoming midterm elections.In a lengthy statement sent to news outlets, the White House press office insisted that versions of the ad, which feature audio of Trump urging voters to help him “defeat communism” and a whirlwind video review of his second term, were simply routine “public service announcements” like those produced by previous administrations. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Here's exactly what Paramount promised Hollywood to land WBD — and why some are still skeptical
Paramount CEO David Ellison's antitrust settlement eased some theatrical concerns, but questions remain about what happens when the five-year agreement ends.
theguardian.com
Trump and Chinese president Xi end summit without major agreement on AI
Xi’s state visit to the US emphasized personal rapport with the US president, rather than substantial agreements to pause their respective countries’ AI arms raceDonald Trump and Chinese president Xi Jinping wrapped up their Washington summit on Friday, facing criticism that they had squandered an opportunity to pause their countries’ artificial intelligence (AI) arms race.The three-day state visit emphasised pageantry and personal rapport rather than substantial agreements. The US president and Xi discussed the wars in Iran and Ukraine and the status of Taiwan. Their biggest policy announcement was a modest two-month extension of a trade truce. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Trump, Xi wrap state visit centered on spectacle over substance. Here are the top takeaways
President Trump and Chinese leader Xi went heavy on the ceremony and light on deliverables as they danced around Taiwan and Iran during two days in Washington.
cnbc.com
Coca-Cola hires Rob Gehring from Monster Energy to run its North American operations
Coca-Cola is trying to maintain growth as consumers face higher gas and grocery prices.
cnbc.com
10-year Treasury yield is little changed to end a volatile week
The 10-year Treasury note yield was relatively unchanged on Friday after recent selling pressure intensified.
bbc.co.uk
Clubs seek legal advice over Man City charges compensation
Premier League clubs are seeking legal advice as to whether they would have a compensation claim over the Manchester City 115 charges case.
cnbc.com
Airlines waive change fees ahead of nor'easter as flight delays trickle in
Flight disruptions were minimal for Saturday as of Friday morning.
cnbc.com
Saudi Arabia crude oil exports hit highest level since Iran war began despite pipeline outage
Saudi exports are rising despite escalating attacks on its infrastructure from Iran-backed militants in Yemen and Iraq.
bbc.co.uk
Save or Overpay? What to do with your mortgage if interest rates rise
Save or Overpay? What to do with your mortgage if interest rates rise
theguardian.com
Burnham pledges extra £210m towards regenerating boarded-up high streets
Funds to help local people turn empty shops, pubs and clubs into community hubs, shared workspaces and cafesThe UK government has pledged £210m to regenerate high streets by taking boarded-up shops, pubs and clubs and turning them into shared workspaces, cafes and community hubs.Andy Burnham said the funds would “help put power back into the hands of locals who know their area best” as part of his effort to “restore pride and bring hope back”. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Meta's 'powerful breakout' sets up a unique trading strategy, says Mike Khouw
With a brilliant hardware funnel and an options market pricing in juicy short-term premiums, Meta looks primed for a powerful breakout into 2027.
theguardian.com
We Manchester City fans fear relegation and losing trophies … but club are bang to rights
Despite attempts to legally filibuster the charges out of existence for the past three years, we’ve rightfully failedIt couldn’t have been more prophetic. In 2008, 15 years before Manchester City were charged with financial fraud, fans started singing “City’s going down with a billion in the bank” to the tune of Yellow Submarine. This was because the former Thailand president Thaksin Shinawatra’s 15-month ownership of City had come to an abrupt end when more than £1bn of his assets were frozen. And although Sheikh Mansour of the UAE had stepped in to save City, we were sinking fast.Despite the UAE’s untold riches, by December we were in the relegation zone. It’s called Cityitis – shorthand for our tendency to self-destruct when things appear to be going well. In fact we won trophy after trophy. But we continued to sing the song about going down with a billion in the bank. When the financial fair play investigation was launched in 2018, the chant got louder. Then in 2023 we learned there were more than 100 charges. The chant became even louder and more cavalier. And now that our grubby, griftin’, cheatin’ chicken has come home to roost, you can bank on one thing (if banks still deal with us) – the chanting will be louder and more cavalier than ever. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The Guardian view on Trump and Xi: a show of friendship, but no real attempt to address the tensions | Editorial
The Chinese leader’s visit to Washington appears to have done nothing to shift the stalemate in bilateral relations Within days, two high-profile Chinese visitors will arrive in the US – envoys of friendship, as Xi Jinping described them when he met Donald Trump at the White House this week. The giant pandas, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, will be hosted at Atlanta zoo. Beijing dispatched the first panda pair to the US in 1972 following President Richard Nixon’s landmark visit to China. It uses the animals to indicate satisfaction or displeasure with other nations. But it also charges heftily for their lease: reportedly, around $1m a year per pair. Americans’ views of China have warmed from a pandemic nadir, but are unlikely to be shifted much by two animals, however charming. These days they are more of a token gesture than a striking symbol.It is telling that the announcement was one of the main takeaways of Mr Xi’s visit to Washington. Expectations were low after May’s stalemate summit in Beijing, but this meeting still struggled to meet them. The US president gave Mr Xi a lavish welcome – unusually, travelling to meet the “strong, vibrant and fit” Chinese leader off the plane. He insisted that they had “never gotten along better”. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Pope Leo warns AI could lead to losing 'humanity amid a paradise of machines' in Paris – video
Pontiff continues to decry the rise of AI on his visit to France, stressing the importance of retaining 'ethical discernment' in an age when rapidly advancing technology threatens to undermine humanityEurope livePope Leo warns of AI threat to humanity at start of three-day France visit Continue reading...
theguardian.com
How Labour can reform Britain’s pensions triple lock | Letters
Readers offer solutions to the thorny problem facing the government, in response to an article by Gaby HinsliffGaby Hinsliff (Britain needs cash and everyone knows we should break the pensions triple lock. Where is the courage?, 22 September) is right that public policy should not subsidise wealth without limit, but breaking the triple lock is a poor way to target affluent pensioners. Most pensioners are not affluent. Indeed, a quarter of pensioners require benefits in addition to the state pension just to survive and keep a roof over their heads.If the aim is to stop subsidising wealth, a more direct target is the generous tax treatment of private pension savings. A taxpayer contributing £100 to a pension can receive £40 or £45 in tax relief if they pay higher- or additional-rate tax, compared with £20 for the basic rate. Tax and national insurance contributions relief on private pensions costs the government a staggering £84bn a year. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Trump and Xi exchange warm words at state dinner but little progress on key issues
Despite diplomatic niceties and gifts, little was shared on substantial issues separating the leaders.
bbc.co.uk
Sir David Beckham nets £38.5m after World Cup ad deals
His stake in DRJB Holdings has entitled him to almost half of its £85.5m in dividend payments.
cnbc.com
India's viral Cockroach Party calls election panel head 'biggest threat' to democracy. Here's why it matters
India’s Cockroach Janta Party demanded election chief Gyanesh Kumar resign after reported internal objections over voter-roll revisions.
cnbc.com
Here's who attended the Trump-Xi state dinner
U.S. President Donald Trump hosted a dinner Thursday for Chinese President Xi Jinping.
bbc.co.uk
Africa's richest man helps fund $660m fuel pipeline between Ethiopia and Djibouti
The pipeline would strengthen energy security in landlocked Ethiopia, while creating jobs at Djibouti's port.
cnbc.com
Iran offers to reopen Strait of Hormuz within 7 days and restart nuclear talks
The remarks came as the Houthis launched a new wave of missile and drone attacks at Saudi targets Friday morning.
cnbc.com
CEO who posted 'Lake America' sweatshirt photos is no longer with the company
Smith on Sept. 11 had posted an allegedly AI-edited photo on Facebook of her family dressed in "Lake America" sweatshirts.
cnbc.com
Russia could attack a NATO country within months, Danish intelligence warns
The new threat assessment joins a growing chorus of Russia warnings from top European security officials and lawmakers in recent days.
theguardian.com
Pomp over progress in Xi’s US summit with Trump is a win for China
While US president hailed visit as ‘great’, almost nothing of substance was achieved on resolving thorny issuesKey takeaways from the Trump-Xi summit in WashingtonIf the Beijing meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in May was the “stalemate summit”, the second round of talks between the presidents of the US and China this week seemed to give up entirely on the idea of breakthroughs.Instead, it was described as a celebration of “diplotainment” rather than diplomacy, where pomp prevailed over progress and where one of the main outcomes was the news that two giant pandas would soon be sent from China to Atlanta zoo. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
It’s not hypothetical: the dangers of AI are already here | Granate Kim and Mohamed Hussein
Israel and the US have used AI to kill in Gaza and Iran, while law enforcement uses it in surveillance and arrests. The future is hereIn recent weeks, concerns about AI have forged unlikely alliances in the tech and policy worlds. Tech moguls such as Sam Altman, Elon Musk and Demis Hassabis joined Dario Amodei, Satya Nadella and Bill Gates in sounding the alarm about the dangers of AI and called for a slowdown of the technology’s development despite years of racing for dominance. The senator Bernie Sanders teamed up with Steve Bannon to urge Congress to regulate AI, which has become one of the very few issues to unite Americans across the political spectrum.The latest moves were sparked in part by the AI researcher Jacob Coxon’s warnings on Twitter/X that AI companies are “gambling with our lives” and believe that the technology “could kill us all by the end of the decade”. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Revealed: the undisclosed safety data emerging as weedkiller maker faces Parkinson’s lawsuits in US
Syngenta denies keeping relevant data from the EPA as paraquat stays in the US market despite global bansSweden started ringing the alarm bell more than 20 years ago, calling for a ban on the weedkilling chemical paraquat in 2004. One by one, dozens of other countries did the same as evidence of paraquat risks to human health mounted. Even the Chinese government, which owns the longtime paraquat maker Syngenta, halted domestic use of the pesticide a decade ago after conducting its own studies on paraquat safety and finding troubling results.In the US, two states – Vermont and California – have recently also banned paraquat, citing risks that include an association between paraquat and Parkinson’s disease shown in years of scientific research. And California regulators announced in August that paraquat makers voluntarily agreed to stop selling the chemical after the state identified health concerns in connection with its use in new research. Several federal lawmakers have pushed for a nationwide ban. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
People in Shetland or the Outer Hebrides: how are you coping with the diesel prices?
Are you taking fewer journeys by car? Or are you cutting back in other areas to pay your diesel bill? Russia’s war-damaged refineries and the Middle East crisis have erased about a fifth of the world’s diesel supplies and are pushing up the price of diesel at forecourt pumps.We would like to speak to people living in Shetland and the Outer Hebrides who are paying the highest average price for diesel per litre. How are you coping with the surge in cost? Are you taking fewer car journeys? Have you cut back in other areas to pay for your diesel bill? Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Rogue AI hacks government system for first time – The Latest
A government database has been hacked for the first time by a rogue OpenAI agent, which infiltrated part of the Australian healthcare scheme in June. OpenAI became aware of the hack in August, but only informed the government in September. Australia’s prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has expressed his ‘extreme concern’ about the hack, which raises serious AI security concerns for governments around the world. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s UK technology editor Robert Booth – watch on YouTube Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Your body fights to stay cool’: workers toil in record heat as federal rule frozen
Trump officials and Republicans are rolling back protections against heat-related illnesses and deathsWhen it’s 90F on a hot summer day, Esther Minton wears a long-sleeved shirt to work.“Working outside, you don’t have cover. There’s nowhere for you to really go if you’re on a roof or if you’re on the side of a building,” said Minton, a member of the Sheet Metal Workers Local Union 28 in New York City. “Having the sun beaming on your skin all day long, you’ll never make it through, so what you wear makes a difference.” Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Britain’s low-paid urged to sign up to savings scheme offering cash bonus
Government-backed help to save is aimed at working people on universal credit and pays 50p for every £1 saved over four yearsAmid claims that millions are missing out, the UK government is encouraging low earners to sign up to a savings scheme that offers free cash.Help to save is a government-backed savings account that lets people earn a bonus of 50p for every £1 they save over four years. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
UK diesel price close to all-time high
The average price of a litre of diesel at the pump stands at 198.32p, according to the RAC motoring body.
cnbc.com
Warsh's regime change at the Fed pushes ahead – and meets resistance
Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh is driving rapid change in some areas, while his emerging policy framework suggests further rate hikes remain possible.
cnbc.com
Pharma stock soars 150% on injectables deal with Wegovy maker Novo
Shares in Swedish microcap stock Nanexa more than doubled after the drug-delivery group revealed a licensing deal with European pharma giant Novo Nordisk.
bbc.co.uk
US backs Elon Musk's bid to overturn €120m EU fine against X
The EU had said X "deceives users" by selling blue ticks without "meaningfully verifying" accounts.
bbc.co.uk
Business Daily
Did trade frenemies find common ground at the White House?
theguardian.com
Toys are us: the adults swapping scrolling for Lego, remote control cars and sewing
To escape the stresses and strains of adulting, more people are choosing to rekindle their love for childhood toys, games and pastimesA growing number of adult enthusiasts are rediscovering their love for Lego, helping to fuel a surge in sales that has increased the Danish toymaker’s revenues by 21%.But Lego isn’t the only childhood pastime people are returning to. We spoke to people who have rediscovered old hobbies about what drew them back. For some, returning to an old pastime offers an escape from the pressures of adult life, while for others it is a chance to reconnect with a younger version of themselves. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Europe's car makers are in crisis. Will the threat of war rescue them?
Auto executives across Europe hope rearmament can help them flex their industrial muscles once more.
theguardian.com
The lure of the loo: how restaurant bathroom design went wild
Plush or pared back, flatteringly lit or full-on disco camp, a TikTokkable loo is now part of the hospitality experienceAnthony Bourdain was typically forthright when it came to his expectations for the toilet facilities in a food business. “I won’t eat in a restaurant with filthy bathrooms,” wrote the late chef and author, in his seminal, turn-of-the-millennium memoir Kitchen Confidential. “This isn’t a hard call. They let you see the bathrooms. If the restaurant can’t be bothered to replace the puck in the urinal or keep the toilets and floors clean, then just imagine what their refrigeration and work spaces look like.” Setting aside the fact that, in later life, Bourdain softened his stance (“Some of the best food experiences I’ve ever had [have been in] places where they really don’t give a shit [about bathroom cleanliness],” were his words in a 2018 interview) his initial take tells us plenty about what the average customer historically demanded of restaurant restrooms. They needed to be clean. They needed to be functional. They needed, at a push, half-decent hand soap and the faint, reassuring waft of pine-scented floor cleaner.Today, things could hardly be more different. Where once restaurant toilets tended to be a boring, unglamorous afterthought, in recent years, they have emerged as arguably the most unexpectedly attention-grabbing room in the building: atmospherically distinct sites of creativity and muscle-flexing design, where lavish amenities, bespoke lighting, custom soundscapes, selfie mirrors and all manner of other eye-catching flourishes abound, and are documented by social media channels, such as @LoosOfLondon (TikTok followers: 78k). Continue reading...
cnbc.com
CNBC Daily Open: The return of panda diplomacy
Chinese leader Xi Jinping promised two giant pandas to Zoo Atlanta, reviving Beijing's decades-old charm offensive to the U.S.
cnbc.com
Crypto platform Bitget suspects North Korea is responsible for $352 million hack
Crypto platform Bitget suspects North Korea is responsible for $352 million hack
theguardian.com
Homes for sale in foraging hotspots in England, Scotland and Wales – in pictures
From a thatched cottage with a green-topped sweeping extension to a lodge-style home in a town that is heaven for foodies Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Virginia tech firm's CEO, Russian national charged with hiding firm's Russian ties from U.S. government
Oxygen Forensics counted numerous U.S. government agencies among its customers but lied for years about who really controlled it, prosecutors allege.
bbc.co.uk
What's the smallest amount you'd ask a friend to pay back?
We ask New Yorkers to share the smallest amount they'd ask a friend to pay back.
bbc.co.uk
We ship our gym equipment all over the world
Northern Ireland's economic output, which is broadly equivalent to UK GDP, rose by 2.3% in the year to June.
bbc.co.uk
Scam hotel booking sent family to Wetherspoon pub
Which? says staff are turning away up to 20 tourists a day after scammers used the pub's address.
theguardian.com
Andy Burnham talks about ‘public control’ of the utilities but it’s a minefield. We can lead him through it | Will Hutton and Andy Haldane
Nationalisation is not the ultimate answer for companies like Thames Water – but they could be run for the public benefitWill Hutton is a journalist and political economist. Andy Haldane is a former chief economist of the Bank of England Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘We can’t ride this storm’: the English farmers facing uncertainty after sustainability funding runs dry
After the available money ran out after just six hours, some fear they will have to reverse efforts to boost natureOn Tuesday morning, farmer Peter Hatley logged on to his computer at 10am. England’s 2026 sustainable farming incentive (SFI) was opening for applicants and, after three bad harvests, the money would be a lifeline.But Hatley, who runs a 240-hectare family farm in Cambridgeshire, was faced with repeated error messages. He called the government’s helpline, which he says acknowledged there were problems with the scheme, but says by the time the problem was fixed, the money had gone. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘We wanted to prove we didn’t need air conditioning’: the airport cooled by natural ventilation
At Roland Garros airport on Réunion island, the ceiling design funnels a light tropical breeze into the terminal At the arrivals terminal at Roland Garros airport on Réunion island, visitors are greeted by floor-to-ceiling windows framing the lush green mountains of the French Indian Ocean territory.What they may have also expected was the icy chill of air conditioning; this island just off Madagascar sits in the tropical zone to the south of the equator. But instead, the terminal is cooled by a light tropical breeze, the result of natural ventilation built into its unique design. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Capital gains tax: how it works, and the pros and cons of another rise
Increasing the rate of CGT is one of the levers available to the chancellor as he considers revenue-raising optionsCapital gains tax (CGT) has been widely cited as a possible revenue-raiser as the chancellor, John Healey, prepares to deliver a tough budget next month. How does it work, and what are the pros and cons of raising it further? Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The other Post Office scandal: how organised crime launders money on the high street – podcast
Hundreds of millions of pounds of dirty money are being deposited at post offices every year. So why are the police reluctant to investigate the scale of the problem?By Oliver BulloughRead the text version hereSupport the Guardian today: theguardian.com/longreadpod Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Oracle Japan shares surge 7% after record fiscal first quarter, bucking selloff of U.S. parent
Oracle Japan shares surged after the company reported record fiscal first-quarter sales and profits.
cnbc.com
China's Xi urges U.S. to cooperate on AI
U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday at the White House.
cnbc.com
Atlanta is getting pandas: China's Xi revives a longtime diplomatic strategy at summit with U.S.
Chinese President Xi Jinping promised two giant pandas to Zoo Atlanta, reviving Beijing's decades-old charm offensive.
cnbc.com
Here's why South Korea wants more control over future regional wars
The U.S. would command South Korean units should conflict resume on the Korean peninsula. Now the government wants to end a long-standing diplomatic quirk
cnbc.com
Mark Zuckerberg debuts $1,299 Meta VR Glasses and Muse Charm pendant as part of AI agent push
At Meta Connect, CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed new VR Glasses and the Muse Charm gadget for AI agents.
bbc.co.uk
X-planes: Are they needed in the new era of drones?
Where do America's X-plane projects fit in an era of cheap drones?
bbc.co.uk
'We're all broke': Would you chase a friend for £5?
What's the smallest amount of money you would ask a friend to pay you back?
cnbc.com
Bentley takes on Ferrari with its first EV priced at $230,000
Bentley CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser says there is “growing” acceptance of EVs among wealthy buyers.
cnbc.com
History shows financial calamities occur when rates rise rapidly like this: 'Something always breaks'
The 10-year Treasury note yield is spiking to levels not seen in years, and that may be a bad omen for financial markets.
cnbc.com
Senate narrowly votes down resolution calling for end to Iran war
The vote came weeks before the midterm election, where President Donald Trump's fellow Republicans are trying to retain their majorities in Congress.
bbc.co.uk
Why Australia chose the world's biggest political stage to reveal OpenAI hack
Australia, which has strict social media restrictions and has proposed controls on algorithms and smart glasses, announced the breach at the UN.
bbc.co.uk
Reported assaults on Britain's rail services rise by more than a third
Recorded incidents of violence and harassment against passengers and rail workers showed a sharp increase in the year to March.
theguardian.com
What really happened in the room with Burnham and Trump – podcast
Pippa Crerar had a front row seat for the PM’s first meeting with Donald Trump. What really happened during that 12-minute press conference? And as the Labour conference kicks off this weekend, she and Kiran Stacey discuss the ethics of journalist-politician karaokePlease keep sending your comments and questions to Pippa and Kiran on politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.comWatch this episode and subscribe to our YouTube channel here Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Tories would prevent long-term jobless spending benefits on alcohol and cigarettes
The proposals would also see benefits cut for people who are able to work but have failed to hold down a job.
bbc.co.uk
Rolls-Royce signs 'multi-million' engine deal
The order will see 18 engines built and maintained by the company from its Derby aerospace centre.
bbc.co.uk
What to think about when buying travel insurance
Consumer expert Harry Kind walks through what to do when buying travel insurance.
cnbc.com
France's fresh budget battle threatens to topple another government
Time is not on the side of French government bonds, strategists have warned, as the nation's deficit balloons.
cnbc.com
Novo's new strategy hinges on something it can't manufacture: investor trust
Novo has now reached the point where it can broaden its ambitions again, CEO Mike Doustdar told CNBC, but investors remain unconvinced.
cnbc.com
World heads into food crises 'blind' as U.S. aid cuts squeeze UN food agency, experts warn
Climate shocks, conflict and a global fuel crisis, on top of surging interest rates and donor cuts, leave agencies less able to help those facing higher food prices.
bbc.co.uk
They were labelled 'pervert glasses'. Will a camera-free version transform their image?
Meta has unveiled audio-only smart glasses, with some questioning whether it is a response to the backlash over privacy.
bbc.co.uk
How the oil capital of the US welcomed a solar power boom
Texas is now the country's biggest producer of solar-farmed electricity.
bbc.co.uk
£170 a bag? Protein users squeezed as prices soar
Consumers are feeling the pinch from the rising cost of protein.
bbc.co.uk
US rejects pleas from OpenAI, Anthropic for global AI standards
OpenAI's Sam Altman has called for risk evaluation standards, as have Anthropic's Dario Amodei and Hugging Face's Clement Delangue.
bbc.co.uk
Trump and Xi come face-to-face as US and China battle to win the AI race
The US and China are vying for AI supremacy while seeking to keep it under human control.
bbc.co.uk
Lidl banned from selling copycat Birkenstock sandals, Dutch court rules
Lidl must also compensate Birkenstock and pay its legal fees, according to the court ruling
bbc.co.uk
Bentley unveils its first fully electric car
The SUVs will be built on a new production line in Crewe, which has been Bentley's base since 1946.
bbc.co.uk
Barrecore and Boom Cycle owner suddenly shuts studios
Common Bond has emailed customers announcing its locations were closed "until further notice".
bbc.co.uk
Trump reveals millions of dollars' worth of share deals in big tech and AI
Stock in major firms such as Microsoft, Nvidia and SpaceX was bought and sold on behalf of the US president.
bbc.co.uk
UK warned over ballooning debt costs and slower growth ahead of Budget
Higher energy prices due to the conflict in the Middle East and climate change could hit growth.
bbc.co.uk
Off sick? You need to phone your boss, back-to-work adviser says
Relying on text and email means sick workers disengaged and were less likely to work again, says Sir Charlie Mayfield.
theguardian.com
Mum’s Alzheimer’s has trapped the kids’ NatWest cash
A First Saver account was set up by my mother when the children were born which we planned to use to fund them through universityMy mother set up NatWest First Saver accounts for my children when they were born. The accounts are held in trust for when they turn 18 and my parents have paid into them monthly to help fund them through university.My mother is now in the final stages of Alzheimer’s and I have registered financial power of attorney for her. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Will a switch to light speed cut power use at data centres?
To save power and add capacity, data centres are switching from copper wires to tech using light.
bbc.co.uk
Spain battles climate change on several fronts
A summer of wildfires and heatwaves underlines the threats to the country's economy.
bbc.co.uk
The virtual worlds where robots are trained
Training systems that allow robots to negotiate the real world are getting more sophisticated.
bbc.co.uk
Would you buy branded clothing from your favourite tech firm?
Nvidia, OpenAI and Anthropic are all now selling their own limited edition fashion lines.
bbc.co.uk
The extreme engineering of aircraft windows
Few companies have the technology to make aircraft windows which are getting harder to make.
bbc.co.uk
Can Europe recharge its battery industry?
Europe has some promising battery tech, but can it make up ground lost to Chinese battery giants?
bbc.co.uk
I asked my husband to pay into my pension when we had a child - here's why
Molly and Taylor Haylett explain the changes to how they managed their finances when they started a family.
bbc.co.uk
Why some experts increasingly fear AI will take over
AI agents went on an uncontrolled hacking spree, leaving some in the industry worried
bbc.co.uk
Should promotion depend on how workers use AI?
More companies are tying career progression to AI use: is that fair?
bbc.co.uk
'Tirana teeth': Albania hopes to be the new Turkey for dental work
The Balkan nation is aiming to become a new centre for medical tourism.
bbc.co.uk
Aviation faces hotter, stormier skies – and passengers might have to accept more disruption
Are people going to have to increasingly accept more delays and diversions as the effects of climate change intensify?
bbc.co.uk
From 'dog fruit' to darling: India's avocado boom
Demand for avocados is booming in India and local growers hope to grab more of the market.
bbc.co.uk
Why the UK is dithering over what to do about e-scooters
Why is it taking so long for the government to regulate them, and what are the consequences of delay?
bbc.co.uk
Why Gen Z are planning for life without a state pension
Many younger people do not believe the state pension will exist when they are older
bbc.co.uk
The furious dispute over what caused Air India flight 171 to crash
The final conclusions of the investigation have yet to be published, although more could become apparent in the coming days.
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